Mike Nesbitt Article

[Swampman]

In this months Muzzleloader Magazine, Mike Nesbitt wrote an article called "Let's Not Get too Technical". I wish everyone that shoots a muzzleloader could have a copy. I'm not always crazy about Mike's articles but he really said exactly what I've believed for years about good shooting.

 

[Cruzatte]

I read that article, too and kind of breathed a sigh of relief.

Cruzatte

 

[CoyoteJoe]

I've seen Mike post photos of targets with what looked to be a 2"+ group shot at 25 yards from rest. If that is the kind of accuracy he settles for, well, that may be good enough for him. :shake:
Frankly, it don't take much to win at most primitive rendezvous shoots because the real shooters are busy up on the paper target line. :grin:

 

[Greenmtnboy]

I've seen Mike post photos of targets with what looked to be a 2"+ group shot at 25 yards from rest. If that is the kind of accuracy he settles for, well, that may be good enough for him. :shake:
Frankly, it don't take much to win at most primitive rendezvous shoots because the real shooters are busy up on the paper target line. :grin:

:bow: no doubt Joe. glad we are not into "just good enough"
example, your one shot kill this fall on a elk at 95 + - yards, my 100yrd +- one shot kill elk huntin, than our good friend who shoots "just good enough" how many misses was it. If I remember right he killed his elk with my rifle. Afterward his comment was, I need to spend more time with my rifle!
As a hunting guide "just good enough" wounds a lot of animals :cursing:
Huckin round balls is just like shootin a bow.
pratice, pratice, pratice.
you are doing mothernatures creatures a big disservice if you don't :hatsoff:

 

[Greenmtnboy]

one more thing,
I read every one of Mikes articles and really respect him and his years of muzzleloading.
I know there are lots of folks young an old who are doing just fine not gettin to technical. But... When it comes to takin a life in the woods maby a little extra time with your rifle would have a more
humaine outcome. I have almost hung up my guiding hat because of uncaring clients.

 

I'm not always crazy about Mike's articles but he really said exactly what I've believed for years about good shooting.

And that is?

 

[olgriz]

I've shot with Mike, he's killed lots of deer, bucks and does on my place over the years. Tell you what, if you are going to shoot against him, on your two hind legs, out of a pouch, open sights, no shaders and no peeps and no body rest, you best keep your money in your pocket because he'll take it from you. He is good, and his articles are honest. He really shoots the target, he doesn't do a center punch fake, when he takes a picture for a story it's the real thing. It might not be up to your standards in the picture, but don't let it fool you. How well do you place when there is 200 or 300 shooters at a primitive rendezvous? There will be one in Pomery, Washington this June, and I'll bet you could work up a match against him there.

 

[Swampman]

And you'll probably lose. He's an outstanding shot. He will take your money poke if you'll give him the chance.

High tech. isn't needed in this sport.

 

[CrackStock]

Mike is a great shot and a class act. I'll buy any mag that he writes for.

Shoot sharp's the word!

CS
(Except he always calls me CrackPot for some strange reason!) :hmm:

 

Mike's critics could always write their own article. They could call it," High Tech Paper Punching, 101." :rotf: :rotf:

 

I have never understood why people bad mouth Mike Nesbitt. He is a nice guy. He is a knowledgeable guy on many aspects of this hobby. Maybe jealousy because he writes about it for a living? There is another ML site which I used to frequent which made a project out of bad mouthing Mike. If you want to actually "talk" with him, though, go to the Campfire on Muzzleloader Mags site. He is usually there, always helpful, always courteous, always a good guy.

 

[Deadeye]

I felt the same way, way to go Mike :thumbsup:

 

[mikelange]

Plus, he's brought his daughter and at least a couple of her friends into this sport, which counts for more in my book than all the tight groups and trophies in the world. He seems to lack any of the arrogance that characterizes all-too-many people in the shooting world in general. I'll take the company of kids and newcomers over theirs, any day.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

WOW! Never expected such a flurry! I wasn't bad mothing anyone, I'm just saying five .54 caliber holes spread across a 25 yard target from rest ain't my cup of tea. That is MIKE'S example of what "not too technical" shooting produces. Didn't any of you even stop to say to yourself "hey, that's really a pretty sorry group he's showin off there"?
I thought this forum was about how to attain accuracy not about how to load easy and get sloppy results, that hardly requires any instruction.
I know a lot of people feel they don't need real precision in a hunting and informal shooting rifle and they may be right. Plenty of folks are happy to hunt with smoothbores and even win some shoots against rifles.
Those of us who choose to shoot rifles do so for only one reason, better accuracy. For that reason I want to work up a load that is aqequately powerful and as accurate as I can possibly make it. If I have to sacrifice some comfort and convenience for the sake of accuracy, if I have to (oh shudder) actually carry a short starter to load my accurate rifle I think I can bear that awful burden. In other words, I want all the accuracy I can get from a rifle simply because it is a RIFLE.
Now if anyone is happy to settle for something less, well that is your choice, but again I thought THIS forum was about accuracy, not about how to settle for good enough. I hardly think that requires any encouragement :v
Plenty of hunting guides will back up what Greenmtnboy said, I know many of them hate to guide a roundball shooter because they loose too many animals. That reflects on ALL OF US! We all know that roundballs kill but we also know (or should know) that precise shot placement is paramont. I may run a smaller ball or thinner patch in my loading block for a faster reload, but I want that first one to be as precise as possible. That first shot is the only one I expect to fire so why would anyone skimp on precision just to save the bother of loading ONE tight patched ball? That is beyond dumb, it's damn near criminal. :cursing: That attitude needs no promotion!

 

[Claude Mathis]

Now if anyone is happy to settle for something less, well that is your choice, but again I thought THIS forum was about accuracy, not about how to settle for good enough.

Actually, this particular forum is titled "General Muzzleloading".

We do, however, have a forum titled "Roundball Accuracy" that is confined to that subject (see below).
[url] http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showforum.php?fid/84[/url]/

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Right Claude, I clicked on it under Roundball Accuracy and didn't notice that I was transfered to another forum. :redface:

 

[CrackStock]

Coyote,

It is okay -- easy mistake to make. I also agree with you in seeking good shooting through better load development.

It is just that Mike is a good friend to many of us, so it must have struck a nerve.

He also got me to jump from building, shooting and hunting to wearing funny old timey clothes while doing it!

Shoot sharp's the word.

CS

 

[Claude Mathis]

Right Claude, I clicked on it under Roundball Accuracy and didn't notice that I was transfered to another forum. :redface:

Understood. I can see how that's confusing. :thumbsup:

 

[mikelange]

And if you thought the topic was Roundball Accuracy, some of us must have seemed like we'd completely missed the point.... :haha: :haha:

 

[Swampman]

"Plenty of folks are happy to hunt with smoothbores and even win some shoots against rifles."

I've done that against 39 rifles. A short starter isn't need for accurate shooting. A smaller ball and a thicker patch like our forefathers used will shoot perfect groups.